Adjusting to Life in the Burbs

As I stood pumping gas at the station just a half mile up the road from my house, gazing upon the farm field and market to the west, and every single big box store that ever existed just north and east of me, I realized just how much, in a week, my life has changed. What’s that all about?

From the hustle and bustle of the big city to the “hey neighbour” of the small city, life as I knew it for nine years is forever changed. Instead of the sounds of emergency vehicles, I hear lawn mowers, instead of having to pay for parking it’s free, and it’s everywhere. However, instead of awesome sushi on every corner, there’s two sushi places, and I’m hesitant to try them. The reality is that pretty much everything in every way has changed. And, while I’ll always miss the city and I plan to work and visit here for the rest of my life, I realize that not all change is bad. Here’s why:

In the city, I had an alarm that made bird/nature noises to wake me up. Now, actual birds and nature noises wake me up.

Our first week at the house (before we moved in), the neighbours came over to say hi and introduce themselves. And while I don’t remember their names – although I think the man has the same name as my husband – it was so nice. In the city, that NEVER happens.

People on sidewalks not only make eye contact with you, but they say hello and smile. When I first moved to the Big City, I did that to people and they looked at me like I was crazy. I spent the next nine years perfecting my ability to look straight ahead, see nothing and say nothing. It’s going to be hard to transition from “must avoid eye contact at all cost” to how it was when I was growing up. But I’m excited because I want to pet everyone’s dogs.

Parking is a breeze.

Even though our place is a complete mess because we haven’t fully unpacked or finished painting our bedroom, it’s amazing to have space. I forgot what space was.

Cashiers talk to us and actually seemed interested in what we have to say. Although, I’m not sure if I like this or hate this.

The commute isn’t terrible, but if we leave 5 minutes later it is. Noted.

On top of that we have great friends that are a less than a five-minute drive away. And our lot is one we would never be able to afford in the city. So, while I now spend close to 15 hours in the car every week, I get to spend those hours one-on-one with Mr. Opposite who happens to be my favourite person (most of the time), so even that’s not so bad.